Jets forecast: Is this the team that wrecks Ryan?

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John Idzik (AP)

Editor's note: With offseason work across the league coming to an end, the focus shifts to the steamy summer workouts ahead. To get you fully primed for the preseason and beyond, Sporting News provides in-depth looks at all 32 teams leading into training camp. Today: New York Jets. Prediction: Fourth, AFC East. Next: NFC East.

The next few months could represent Rex Ryan's last chance to leave a positive imprint on the Jets. With first-year general manager John Idzik now in place, Ryan might have to win now to save his job. (He has two years left on his contract.)

But winning now might not be possible with a low-budget roster featuring numerous unproven youngsters and several injury-plagued veterans looking for a fresh start.

"This is a new chance for me," said Ryan, who enters his fifth season. "This is a beginning."

But even with owner Woody Johnson's support, if Ryan cannot coexist with Idzik, the end could come sooner than he might expect.

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Ivory has gotten mostly spot duty during three seasons in New Orleans, but the Jets gave up a fourth-round pick for him because they believe he can be an upgrade over the departed Shonn Greene as a downhill runner who can grind out tough yardage between the tackles.

"Has size, strength, good instinctiveness, can key and trigger and locate ball well. Has in-line run-defend ability and can play downhill. Has good in-line quickness with above average speed, can play on his feet and defend the run both inside and outside. Can take on a guard or fill and take on a lead-type fullback, too.

Harris

"However, although he has awareness and feel for coverage, he is best in short or under area zones rather than deeper or extended space and can have problems matching up downfield or on the perimeter versus pass-catching type tight ends and running backs."

INSIDE THE HEADSET

Ryan's blustery, macho persona often is reflected in his in-game decisions. He likes to go for it on fourth down and still delights in sending max blitzes. He says he wants the 2013 offense to be more "attacking" and "unpredictable."

"They still have some pieces on defense. They're strong at defensive end. I like David Harris, and it was time to pass the baton to the (DeMario) Davis kid at the other inside linebacker spot. (He) won't be as physical as Bart Scott but will run better and cover more ground in space.

"What they lack right now is difference-making talent at safety (and) enough pass rush value at the core position of a 3-4 defense in their outside linebackers group. And I think (Kyle) Wilson is more of a solid third and nickel type than a solid No. 2 cornerback (and) perimeter defender.

"Without a quality QB, you need a good running game and defense — and right now their defense wasn't what it was in the past, and their running game has lessened (in comparison) to what they used to be able to produce. So in order to help the QB situation, I think New York needs to find a way to improve their rushing attack."

New coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who comes to the Jets after spending seven seasons as the Eagles' coordinator, will be installing his version of the West Coast offense. From quarterbacks, it demands quick, decisive reads and accurate short and intermediate throws that lead to yards after the catch for receivers. Those passes set up a running game that features lots of counters and trap plays.

Also, running backs are integral to the passing game. They are used heavily as receivers, and not only in third-down situations. Mornhinweg's system takes more downfield shots than other versions of the West Coast.

Quarterbacks: Would Mark Sanchez be on the roster if he weren't owed $8.75 million in guaranteed money? Probably not, but as it is, he could get one last shot to prove he is the Jets' quarterback of the future.

Sanchez (AP)

But for the first time since he was the fifth overall pick in 2009, Sanchez entered the spring as something other than the clear-cut starter. After David Garrard decided to retire in May, Sanchez is trying to hold off second-round pick Geno Smith, a big-armed system QB from West Virginia.

Greg McElroy is also on the roster, but the organization doesn't have as much faith in the 2011 seventh-round pick, who got one start last season after Sanchez was benched. McElroy is competing with 2012 undrafted free agent Matt Simms for the third-string job.

Smith, considered by some to be a top-10 pick, fell to the Jets in the second round. He has plenty of talent, but it remains to be seen how quickly he can adjust to the complexities of NFL defenses.

To win the job, Sanchez will have to make major improvements in his decision-making and accuracy and show that the last two seasons haven't ruined him mentally and emotionally. GRADE: C

Running backs: With the departure of Shonn Greene as a free agent, the Jets will have a new starter this season. The likeliest candidates are third-year pro Bilal Powell and former Saint Chris Ivory, acquired from New Orleans for a fourth-round pick. Powell became the primary backup to Greene last season, leaping ahead of Joe McKnight. Ivory is considered an excellent downhill runner, so he could be the first- and second-down back.

Fifth-year pro Mike Goodson, a free-agent signee, has never been an every-down back, but his pass-catching ability should make him a good fit in the Jets' new offensive system. However, Goodson's May 17 arrest on charges of drug and weapons possession has cost him valuable time on the field during the spring, and it's possible he could receive a suspension from the league, depending upon how his case eventually turns out.

Powell

Powell is a tough runner but also has shown a burst of speed when getting to the second level, something Greene rarely did. McKnight is the Jets' fastest running back, but his inability to pick up yards between the tackles was a liability in the team's old "ground-and-pound" attack. But Mornhinweg's philosophy of using backs as pass catchers more often and getting them out in space would seem to help McKnight's chances of getting on the field more often.

Lex Hilliard is a steady fullback and a good special-teamer. GRADE: C+

Receivers: No. 1 receiver Santonio Holmes is coming off a Lisfranc foot injury, and his speed seemed to be diminishing even before that, so it remains to be seen whether he can be the big-play receiver he was previously. It's quite possible, perhaps even likely, he will begin training camp next month on the PUP list.

Stephen Hill showed flashes as a rookie but also had problems with dropped passes and route running after making the leap from Georgia Tech's run-oriented offense. The drops have continued during the spring. Jeremy Kerley shows signs of developing into the consummate slot receiver and figures to have a large role, especially on third down.

Clyde Gates is the fastest of the Jets' wideouts and showed better hands than advertised in 2012. He could have a bigger role in the new offense. Second-year pro Jordan White has potential as a possession receiver but was used sparingly in 2012.

Winslow

At tight end, the departure of Dustin Keller via free agency takes away Sanchez's favorite target, but the Jets hope Kellen Winslow is the answer. The addition of Winslow, who played in only one game last year (for New England) but impressed the Jets with his athleticism and hands in his minicamp tryout, means the team apparently isn't sold on fourth-year pro Jeff Cumberland. Konrad Reuland likely will be used mostly as a blocker. GRADE: C+

Line: Pass protection must improve in 2013. Three-fifths of this unit returns intact, with center Nick Mangold, left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and right tackle Austin Howard all back. Mangold was very solid in 2012, but it wasn't his best season. Ferguson also played a little below his normally lofty standards. Howard, in his first season as a full-time starter, was an upgrade over predecessor Wayne Hunter but still needs to improve.

Peterman

Both guard positions are question marks. On the left side, embattled fourth-year pro Vlad Ducasse could have one last chance to earn a starting job after sharing time last season with Matt Slauson, who is now with Chicago. However, the starter could be former Steeler Willie Colon, who has been a productive player when healthy. Stephen Peterman, released by Detroit, signed a one-year deal with the team in late April. He likely will replace reliable veteran right guard Brandon Moore, who wasn't re-signed. In the spring, the main competition for Colon and Peterman came from third-round pick Brian Winters of Kent State, who is making the transition from college tackle. GRADE: B-

There's a new defensive coordinator — Dennis Thurman has taken over for Mike Pettine — but the philosophy and play-calling won't change much. That's because this is still Ryan's defense. It features a 3-4 base but also uses some 4-3 looks. Pressure on the quarterback can come from anywhere in the form of a myriad of blitz packages. A stout nose tackle is necessary to help control the line of scrimmage and defend against the run.

Line: The Jets definitely are getting younger here, having moved on from veterans Sione Po'uha and Mike DeVito during the offseason. They have a potential star in third-year pro Muhammad Wilkerson, who can play end in 3-4 fronts and move inside to tackle in 4-3 alignments. At end, 2012 first-round pick Quinton Coples came on strong near the close of his rookie campaign, but the team has decided to move him to outside linebacker. If he can handle playing in space and moves there full time, that opens up a starting spot for first-round pick Sheldon Richardson.

There figures to be a battle for the starting job at nose tackle between former Charger Antonio Garay and third-year pro Kenrick Ellis, a Ryan favorite who has great intensity but has yet to demonstrate an ability to get off blocks consistently. If Garay is healthy, he should win the starting job. GRADE: B

Linebackers: Bart Scott had been the emotional leader of this group since coming over from Baltimore in 2009, but he's gone. David Harris, the remaining starter on the inside, isn't nearly as vocal as Scott but is just as intense and is a very good downhill linebacker. DeMario Davis, a third-round pick in 2012, is the heir apparent at Scott's old position, and Ryan has high hopes for him. However, he was inconsistent in limited action last season and must improve his instincts.

Calvin Pace was released in February but resurfaced in April after drawing little interest on the open market. Although he hasn't become the stud 3-4 edge rusher the Jets were hoping for when they signed him in 2008, he is a solid, savvy every-down linebacker who does his job.

It remains to be seen who will fill the hole at the other outside position with veteran Bryan Thomas not being re-upped. Possibilities include Garrett McIntyre and Ricky Sapp and Coples, if he displays the necessary coverage skills. Former Charger Antwan Barnes, who had 11 sacks in 2011, projects more as much-needed specialist than as an every-down player. The Jets hope he has recovered from hamstring problems. GRADE: C+

Secondary: With superstar corner Darrelle Revis traded to Tampa Bay, Antonio Cromartie assumes the role of No. 1 cornerback. In Revis' absence because of injury last season, Cromartie showed why he deserves the designation, combining his talent and savvy into a consistent package that earned him a Pro Bowl nod.

Kyle Wilson, the team's first-round pick in 2010, still has trouble in man coverage and is often targeted successfully by opponents. To retain a starting job, he will have to fend off 2013 first-round pick Dee Milliner. The former Alabama star seems to be a good fit for the Jets' man-to-man style of coverage. Isaiah Trufant and Aaron Berry could play in sub packages, or they could challenge for the No. 2 cornerback job.

Safety LaRon Landry will be replaced by his older brother, Dawan, who isn't as flashy a player but isn't much worse in coverage. Second-year pros Antonio Allen and Josh Bush have potential but didn't get much playing time as rookies. Bush had the lead over Allen coming out of spring minicamp. GRADE: B

McKnight is a Pro Bowl-caliber kick returner and is adept at finding holes and setting up blocks. Kerley set an NFL record last season with 36 fair catches, and the Jets would like to see him be more aggressive when the situation permits.

Tanner Purdum's name rarely is mentioned, and that's a good thing for a long snapper. GRADE: C+

The Jets are being careful not to use the "R" word, but clearly that's what's going on here. Some ill-advised and backloaded contracts have strapped the Jets in terms of their salary cap, forcing them to restrict their free-agent shopping to the remainder bin in hopes of finding hidden gems.

Respectability is a more realistic goal than the postseason, but even that will take career years from several players. It will also take Sanchez or Smith executing the West Coast system with a minimum of mistakes.

Losing Revis is a huge blow for a defense that was built around his ability to neutralize the opponent's top wideout.